Research has shown that racial biases can be built into medical products, leading to misdiagnoses, inaccurate readings, and delays in therapy. Pulse oximeters calibrated to lighter skin color caused underestimates of the severity of COVID-19; infrared thermometers calibrated to lighter skin color gave inaccurately low temperature readings, causing under-diagnosis and delaying treatment of COVID among darker-skinned populations. In this session, experts will discuss how R&D processes can embed equity considerations from the start, not as an afterthought. They will also review the role of digital health in closing gaps in health outcomes, and the potential for real-world data to enhance understanding of the needs and experiences of under-represented communities.

Moderator

Jon Fortt

Co-Anchor, TechCheck, CNBC

Speakers

Sandy Balkin

Senior Vice President, Strategy and Analytics, Royalty Pharma

Michelle Longmire

CEO, Co-Founder, Medable

Bridgette McCullough

Founder and CEO, ACIRAH Health

Lissette Steele

Founder and Managing Partner, Verge Scientific Communications, LLC

Michelle Tarver

Deputy Center Director, Chief Transformation Officer, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, US Food and Drug Administration